Chael Sonnen Predicts Huge Viewing Numbers For FOX Sports 1 Debut

As only he can, Chael Sonnen went from fighter to promoter in a matter of moments Thursday during the pre-fight press conference for UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen.

The former No. 1 contender will meet Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in the main event this Saturday from Boston. The card will help usher in FOX Sports 1, a debuting network from FOX.

“UFC is coming to America’s new network,” Sonnen said. “They will cover everything athletically that matters, even football.”

Sonnen, always one to bring numbers into the equation, stated that “the current record (for a live TV MMA event) is 6.8 million (viewers). There are 186 million potential viewers (for Saturday’s card) and we only have to break 6.8 million (for the record).”

And as he has done for the past several years, Sonnen made sure to get a punch-line in on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Vitor Belfort – two fighters he wants to meet in the future.

“Anytime Vitor Belfort or Lil Nog sign up for a fight, I got into training camp because I know opportunity is going to open up,” Sonnen stated.

Nogueira was expected to face Rua earlier this year but pulled out due to injury.